Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

I am hoping you can help me decipher a letter I received today regarding a probate. My grandfather recently passed away and I have been named a contingent beneficiary of 1/6 residuary estate ;remainder beneficiary of 1/2 SNT. I am also listed as a trustee in regards to fiduciary status. Can you please help me understand what all of this means. Thank you

Lisa Sposato


Asked on 2/17/10, 6:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Not having seen or read the Will I cannot accurately describe what you are entitled to, but I will provide some general information. Contingent beneficiary means that something has to have happened before you could become an absolute beneficiary. Usually the something is that a person has to predecease the maker of the Will. Illustration: A grandfather makes a Will stating he leaves everythging to his child, and if the child predeceases to his grandchildren. If the child survivves, you get nothing, as the "contingency" has not taken place. Remainder beneficiary means that there are thingts that have to happen before you get the inheritance. Illustration: I leave a life estate to my child and gift over of remaining assets on his/her death to my grandchildren, A and B. Trustee means that assets may have been left in trust created under the Will and you have been designated as the person who handles the estate. This is illustrated as a bequest to your minor child andf you have been appointed the trustee to handle the assets until the child becomes an adult.

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Answered on 2/22/10, 7:49 pm


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